Costume Class

I am going to begin teaching a costume design class at the local high school. I have conferred with Denise Wheeler from EOU , Maureen O'Brien, past costumer from the Elgin Opera House & my friend Rachel Jenkins who is lending me her portfolio from a class she took at EOU.

Mr Durfee says there are 6 girls in the class. I have made up a short syllabus that will cover the basics & offers them hands on practice.

Here is what I have so far:

Suit conversions- we will age and stress some clothing

We will look at samples of:

Body Modifications – humps, pregnancy, fat pads, corsets, period body padding

Applied Decoration- coins

Changing collars, hemline & sleeves

Dying fabric

Feathers – shredded decorations & fabric, boas

Hats – baseball, piñatas, tinsel & caps

Wings – dragon

~ Costume Assignments ~

1. Movie ~ Watch an award winning movie for costumes & do a sketch of your favorite costume from that movie (list provided) tell why you liked the costume and how it fits that character. - 50 points

2. Patterns ~ Choose a pattern (patterns provided) List number, brand & description of pattern. Record what kind of fabric you would use, how much is needed & what size you would make. Write what character in what play or musical you would use it for & why - 25 points

3. Research clothing from 5 time eras of your choice. Find a picture of male & female clothing, rich & poor from each era. These will be in a reference binder. - 50 points

3. Design an original costume. Draw a sketch; add color with water color or colored pencils. - 50 points

4. Sketch an original costume for a character in the school musical, add color. Tell why the costume fits the character. - 50 points

5. Know terminology for costuming. (List provided) - 25 points

6. Sew a button, snap, hook & eye sample for reference binder. Also sew an elastic waist calico skirt. - 50 points

Are you ready to begin the class?